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The Iowa State Cyclones are set to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our Iowa State Texas Tech prediction, odds, and pick.
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The Iowa State Cyclones got roughed up by the Big 12, but they won their share of battles in the conference. Beating Texas Tech and Texas gave ISU enough meat on the bone of its resume to accompany its big nonconference win over Iowa and a win over Creighton as well. Iowa State has beaten more NCAA Tournament teams than a number of other teams in the country. This is why Iowa State is safe for the NCAA Tournament despite having been 3-9 in the Big 12 at one point in the conference season. Big 12 Tournament odds evaluators and college basketball odds experts know that Iowa State is a flawed team, but a team which is entirely worthy of being in the NCAA Tournament. There will be no bubble drama surrounding this team on Selection Sunday. This is part of the backdrop to an Iowa State Texas Tech prediction. Coach T.J. Otzelberger has done one of the best coaching jobs in America this season. Iowa State won only two games last season and went 0-18 in the Big 12. Getting the Cyclones into the NCAA Tournament is an amazing feat which can't be talked about enough.
Yet, as great as Otzelberger coached this season, another coach in the Big 12 performed even better. Mark Adams of Texas Tech was able to get the Red Raiders to play defense at an extremely high level. Tech swept Baylor and beat Kansas at home. The Red Raiders also beat Tennessee and will be a top-three seed in the NCAA Tournament. Scott Drew of Baylor was named Big 12 Coach of the Year, but many people felt Adams did the best job in a conference which had several tremendous coaching performances in 2022, including Jamie Dixon at TCU. The ability of Adams to coach defense has Texas Tech in position to make a run in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. That is part of the calculus in an Iowa State Texas Tech pick.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Iowa State-Texas Tech odds:
Big 12 Tournament Odds: Iowa State-Texas Tech Odds
Iowa State: +7.5 (-110)
Texas Tech: -7.5 (-110)
Over: 125.5 (-110)
Under: 125.5 (-110)
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Why Iowa State Could Cover the Spread
The Cyclones have been a good, consistent team in the Big 12 Tournament over a larger period of time when they have good teams. Last year's team was obviously horrible, but now that the Cyclones are good again, they always get great crowd support at the Big 12 Tournament, which makes their games feel like home games. Also, Texas Tech's offense is prone to prolonged scoring droughts.
Why Texas Tech Could Cover the Spread
The Red Raiders struggled late in their season. They lost at TCU and then ended their regular season with a loss at Oklahoma State in which they scored just two points in the final 9:48 of regulation. They have had several days to rest and regroup, fixing their offensive problems. If they play a sharp, focused game, they're a lot better than Iowa State.
Final Iowa State-Texas Tech Prediction & Pick
Texas Tech might win outright, but Iowa State plays quality defense and should keep this close against a Texas Tech team which struggles to score.
Final Iowa State-Texas Tech Pick: Iowa State +7.5
